You Are Exactly Where You’re Supposed To Be

We spend a lot of time wanting to be somewhere else. Someplace in the future. Some magical land where we have the perfect job, the perfect house, the perfect relationship, tons of money, and not a care in the world. The trouble with this line of thinking is that it keeps us from appreciating the present moment. Trapped in this future-focused perspective, we fail to realize the important lessons that we’re learning right now.

The fact of the matter is that each and every moment presents us with an opportunity to choose to see the perfection in our current circumstances. We might not be exactly where we WANT to be, but we are precisely where we’re SUPPOSED to be.

It’s been almost three years since I quit my corporate job to start my own wellness business. Sometimes I look back over this period of my life and wish that I was further along. I mean, really, shouldn’t I have been on Oprah by now? Sometimes I get envious of my colleagues and peers who appear to be “making it” in the self-help world faster than I am. I gaze longingly at the success of Hay House authors and kick myself for not having 30,000 fans on Facebook.

Sometimes these feelings last for a day, other times they hang over me for weeks like a dark cloud of criticism. I’m usually able to bring myself out of this illusory haze by reminding myself of two things:

How far I’ve come

The perfection of my current circumstances (even when the present moment feels difficult)

With regard to point #1, I somehow managed to be an entrepreneur for almost three years. One way or another, I paid my bills, avoided homelessness, and maintained a social life while also helping people around the world create a life they love. Every day, I give thanks for the fact that I get to set my own schedule and work from home when I feel like it. What an amazing gift.

At the same time, the life of an entrepreneur isn’t always easy. My husband also started his own business around two years ago, and there have been times when money has been extremely tight. I’ve sometimes questioned what the hell I’m doing with my life. I’ve cried, I’ve felt discouraged, and I’ve contemplated giving up.

In these moments, however, I can often catch a glimpse of the fact that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. It’s all part of the journey. We need to cry; we need to get upset; we need to feel. When we push our emotions down and try to fake it, we appear inauthentic, and we actually stifle our progress. There are such immense lessons to be learned during our most difficult times. As an example, if I hadn’t taken antidepressants for six years, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today. Those six years were dark and difficult, but they led me to where I am now.

In the end, the things that I’ve accomplished as an entrepreneur aren’t half as important as the way that this work makes me feel. This is key. We spend so much time focusing on “getting stuff” to make us feel better. But as Gabrielle Bernstein says:

“Many people approach manifestation from a place of ‘How can I get something to feel better?’ Instead, the focus should be: ‘How can I feel better and, therefore, be an energetic match for attracting more greatness into my life?’”

Stop focusing so much on what you want to get or what you want to do. Instead, start focusing on how you want to feel. Ask yourself: What can I start doing right now to bring more of this feeling into my life? Don’t worry about how much money or status these activities will bring your way or what other people will think of you. Because I promise that when you’re inspired, the money comes. When you feel how you want to feel, people bite their tongues and become inspired by you.

With this in mind, I’d like to leave you with a few questions:

What lessons are you learning in your life right now?

How are your current circumstances contributing to your highest good?

What are you grateful for today?

Please share your answers with me below!

As Tama Kieves says: “Nothing in my life is lacking, except my appreciation.”

Thank you Bethany! I encountered a skull fracture almost six years ago, was displaced from my life, job, marriage, home, job I tried to learn but removed from 4 months later. Thanks to good friends with great advice, I realized I still had a whole lot of healing to do in my body, mind and spirit. It is an ongoing process but I have learned so many valuable things through the experience. For this I am so grateful! I may take the time to write a book on all I have learned through this process with great hope that it may be an inspiration to others who may need it. Have a wonderful moment and know you too have touched someone else with your insight.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Wow, @disqus_tzbUnTdIni:disqus, you should definitely write a book! Thank-you for your kindness.

http://www.facebook.com/randy.mullis Randy Mullis

Bethany, if others benefit from your work as I do, and I’m sure that’s the case, then you are indeed exactly where you are supposed to be. Your positive advice about how we can make our life better is always a word in season.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Thank-you so much for your kind words, @facebook-1006411421:disqus! I truly appreciate it.

Anand Singh

thanks a lot ! very true,I am where I am supposed to be-and every situation in life teaches a lot of lessons and that makes life so enriching and complete!

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Absolutely, @anand_s:disqus!

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http://www.facebook.com/jgstewart1109 Jamye Clough Stewart

thank you for reminding me I’m where I’m supposed to be and I’m grateful…even though it took a long time to get here….the path was a path of learning

I’m so happy you reflected on my questions, @facebook-1019927824:disqus – this is powerful work!

Catherine Francucci

Your site is amazingly insightful and inspirational! I too have the same feelings as you mention above and your comments to those feelings can not be more accurate! Thank you for the reminder!

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

You’re very welcome, @b133d0404f1c6f195c108c27a22fc3cf:disqus!

dimples

My lesson in life is that it does not matter what I own or have accomplished; If the inner peace and gratitude isn’t there, then I have no substance. Nor will I be blessed for anything beyond where I stand now. My current situation is good; I’m able to pay my bills with my small business at home, I meditate and gained a better perspective of being in the moment of my life and loving it:-) I’m grateful for my life, my family, small business, and most of all my soulmate that keeps me inspired:-)

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Right on, @bbdf9372b437577dc12cc5497ab1b09f:disqus! Love the gratitude.

http://twitter.com/AdventurousAndi Adventurous Andrea

This was just what I needed to read today!

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Awesome, @twitter-867278539:disqus

jammines.

i just love this site.Sure makes a person think.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

I agree, @af90b47ae631f246bfd347ffb3f9febb:disqus !

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1386696063 Kweli Ya-Saleem

Hi Bethany. wow. I’ve had the same thoughts as you and sometimes wonder if I’m in the right place. This and other self-questions usually plague me at month’s end when bills are due and the coffers are empty. 1. I’m learning to more with less 2. My current circumstances are contributing to my highest good in that they focus me to attract more. The Word of Yahweh came to me and said, “why are you striving for the the grains of sand, when I desire to give you beaches?” So, I set my eyes on what my life is going to be, rather than on what it is right now. 3. I am grateful for what I already have, because, I can always have less.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Love this, @facebook-1386696063:disqus! Be grateful and you will attract even more into your life!

Canuck57

This is great…sometimes we forget that we need to live in the “now”, and not worry about our past or future as much.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Absolutely, @ec77fc29c3339c21467f64f1ecc93a3c:disqus!

http://www.facebook.com/tim.vollink Tim Vollink

life is such a paradox. We need to focus on the future, learn from the past but stay constantly present and let go. It takes some effort for “No effort” or letting go. I love this perspective we are exactly were we are supposed to be, Everything is perfectly imperfect. We just need to realize that.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

I love the term “perfectly imperfect!” Thanks for sharing, @facebook-1850621330:disqus.

http://www.facebook.com/lana.angel.5 Lana Angel

Great article – serendipitous timing. My biggest challenge is to stop comparing myself to others who have accomplished more (meaning $$), sooner, etc., etc. I simply need to remind myself I am blessed to live such a magical life.

Shawn Cockrill

Thanks so much for sharing this as I have had the same

problem for a very long time. The constant comparing

yourself to what others have can be excausting to say the

least! I come from a family who almost all of them have

great jobs and are secure with money, then I am the one who

struggles financially all the time and I can get into that

mind set of why does things come better for them etc. I now

try to remind myself that everyone’s journey is meant to be

different and I may not have as much “stuff” as them, but I

am blessed.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

So true, @shawncockrill:disqus! Everyone’s journey is unique, and you are learning what you need to learn.

http://www.facebook.com/shawn.cockrill Shawn Cockrill

I try to remind myself that each day and count the blessings I do have! But do you ever wonder how some can have so much then some can have so little? Struggling with that mind set today as most of my family all have such great incomes and nice things. Just sometimes its nice to know I’m not alone in these type of thoughts

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

It’s normal to compare ourselves to others, @facebook-100000451967953:disqus – but good for you for having the self-awareness and courage to admit it!

Denise

Lessons I am learning now … how to be patient, how to love more freely and how to LIVE my DREAM.

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

These are great lessons, @de65ea7a42a4caa4f04d994e6ab66d8a:disqus!

GIG

It’s perfectly normal to have inspirations and use our God given imaginations to get what it is that we want and where we want to be. So long as we focus on what’s in front of us. As long as we ask God to give others what we want and help them to achieve it. This way I’m not spending my days dragged down by thinking only of myself and my wants and needs.

Every man made thing you see today was first a thought. Someones vivid imagination. I am happy where I am today. But not content in staying here..

http://twitter.com/BethanyButzer Bethany Butzer

Nice, @1300d5fc8652d8e49e799a9e1a65d0c2:disqus! It’s so important to focus on others, not just on ourselves.

xnavygal (jen)

When I let go and let god I stop running on self-will and begin living in his will. That’s how I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

One of the greatest things i can apprecaite where i am right now is being in gratitude of what i have and all my blessings around me. If you are not happy with yourself and not able to live in the present moment, nothing will ever me good enough. A quote from Ester and Jerry Hicks that i love- “Every single person on the planet and every single Consciousness in the Universe has the same experience of being here and having a desire to be there. In other words, it is the promise of this eternal Universe. You’re always, always, always going to be on your way to something more – always. And when you relax and accept that, and stop beating up on yourself for not being someplace that you’re not, and instead, start embracing where you are while you keep your eye on where you’re going – now life becomes really, really, really fun. “

Ash Faith

I’m learning to thrive in survival rather than fixating on past scraps disguised as highlights. I’m blessed with amazing family & friends that I had to stray from to learn a sense of care and gratitude from within. Currently, I’m recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury & 2 month coma,due to a car accident from 3 years ago. The crash happened 3 weeks after I graduated college– leading me to start from scratch but also allowing me the gift to re-evaluate my past in order to reconstruct presence in the present & freedom for a future worth living in. I’m grateful for the prosperities of this possibility.

Tiia

I’m having kind of a hard time in my life right now. It’s a choice that I’ve made and it’s harder than I thought, but even in my lowest point I feel like it’s worth it. I just want to say that Positively Positive has gave me much strength during these times.. Thank you.

At the moment I’m learning how to be on my own. I’m learning to take care of myself, learning to take more responsibility, learning how to carry my own weight. I’m learning how to live my dream and not give up. Right now it feels like a lonely road but I believe it will get better soon. After all I have so many great people around me, even though I don’t yet know them that well. I have chosen to take a job from abroad and that is something that I’ve always wanted. Now that I’m here, it’s not perfect, but it’s good and it gets better. I’m learning to deal with the fact that everything’s not perfect and I always have to start from somewhere. Everyone has to, right? I’m learning not to be so scared and unsure about me and my abilities. I’m learning to let myself get attached to people, to express my feelings more freely. I’m learning to be more grateful.

I am so very grateful that I’ve been blessed with all these opportunities, these chances to reach my dreams, fight for them and do my best. I’m grateful that I have been brave and taking the steps towards unknown. I feel like I can watch myself in the eye and be proud of myself. I’m grateful for my loving family back at home, who supports me and my life choices and loves me as I am. I’m grateful for all the beautiful people here in my new home, for the support and patience that I get from them. There’s so much to learn and so much to be grateful for.

http://twitter.com/rhemashernandez rhema flowers

Really related to this post. Wow. It was like I wrote it! Thank you for your insight and your vulnerability.

http://www.facebook.com/ccamarlinghi Cheryle Scanlon Camarlinghi

I seem to be receiving this message of being exactly where I need to be over and over. Thank you for your unsight.

Donald Graeca

I LOVE this post! It is truly what I am going through right now. The job I have now is in jeopardy of going away and I have been searching for a new path. I have several leads, hopefully, one will emerge as the one I am supposed to be on.

Jaymes

For me I would say I am learning to not focus and dwell on the negative and bad things in my life. Such as student loans, lack of employment while seeking a truly positive and fulfilling job where my skill set can make a difference that doesn’t include working in “Cube Land,” and living with my grandparents after my job was eliminated.

My highest good is that I have been able to work on the board of a non profit and bring anti-bullying programs to the region I live in. This is truly great work, helping young students work through the problems of modern high school life and find their own inner passion and drive. I also find my self inspiring those around me such as family and friends. In the past I never realized that I had this effect on those around me. Not until these friends and family began to thank me and tell me how I positively inspire them to be better people did I ever see it for my self.

The gratitude in my life comes when I am able to enjoy the outdoors and challenge my self when I am out trail running in the snow, mountain biking new trails, and snowboarding. But being able to wake up and spend time with my grandparents is truly the most special thing of all. this last week my grandfather who is 85 had to go in for surgery. I took him to the hospital and helped get him admitted and ready for surgery with the nurses. Now that he is home I am helping him with meals and medications. Tonight I even helped him take a shower after I wrapped his incision with cellophane.

Thank you Bethany for a great article. I also at times think that I should have a house and have all my debt paid off and not take the time to enjoy what is around me or jump at the opportunities that present them selves to us.

Today I truly did realize that I am right where I am supposed to be. Not very many people have the opportunity to spend time with family like I am. To help those family members to have a better quality of life and do the heavy lifting makes me feel so good.

Grumpy

I’m sorry you’re struggling, but… why should a reader take advice from you when you’re clearly not actually successful yet? It’s like someone selling a book on creating wealth by saying, “I’m not rich yet – in fact, I was bankrupt for six years! But here’s my advice anyway, and it will definitely work for you.” Huh?

You say: “Because I promise that when you’re inspired, the money comes.” Directly at the end of an article that bemoans your own personal lack of money (besides not being homeless). Oh, I don’t know.

Khara

I wrote down all of these questions so I can thoughtfully answer them in my journal… Thank you for an amazing article! Love, light, peace & healing, Khara

VENN

Right now, I am learning the importance of patience and trust. I am learning to be patient and trust that the Universe will take care of me. I need to understand that by pushing my own agenda, I am only causing myself stress and anxiety. Once I let go and have faith that things will work out in the end, I will be much better for it. Things have ALWAYS worked out in the end. I just need to be a bit more patient. This will make me better able to trust, not only something as vast as God/the Universe, but to also trust other people and, most importantly, myself. I am grateful for my talents, my tenacity, my drive, and my perseverance. Without these things, I truthfully do not know where I would be. Thank you, Universe! <3

Prince S

When we have struggled for so long, things flowing smoothly is weird and wonderful. It’s like it moves too fast and you don’t know where it’s going and that makes you unsure, and then you’d have to admit how it’s not always all that hard! Could have done this earlier, regret regret. Hmmm now is kind if good. Now is just right. Even to have these thoughts.

IBikeNYC

“Many people approach manifestation from a place of ‘How can I get something to feel better?’ Instead, the focus should be: ‘How can I feel better and, therefore, be an energetic match for attracting more greatness into my life?’”